My God sent his angel to shut the lions' mouths so that they would not hurt me, for I have been found innocent in his sight….
Daniel 6:22 (NLT)
Friday morning, as I was sleeping soundly all warm and cozy in my bed, I suddenly woke up with this week’s blog title flashing through my mind—The Lions’ Den.
About six weeks ago, I joined a ladies’ bible study class that is using Beth Moore’s course, Daniel— Lives of Integrity, Words of Prophecy. This week we studied Daniel chapter 6. Hence, the name of this lesson “The Lions’ Den.” If you are not familiar with that story, then please pull out your Bible and read Daniel chapter 6.
In Daniel 6, you read about some jealous leaders who decided that they wanted to get rid of Daniel. So that evil bunch of hooligans devised a plan and tricked King Darius into passing a law that declared, “for the next thirty days anyone who prays to anyone, divine or human-except to Your Majesty—will be thrown to the lions” (Daniel 6:7, NLT).
Since this new law contradicted God’s commands, Daniel refused to obey it (Exodus 20:3-6). He would not bow or pray to anyone other than to his God. So at the risk of losing his life, Daniel faithfully continued to kneel in prayer three times a day, giving thanks to God. Whereas, sometimes I think that I have done good when I kneel in prayer only one time a day. And I don’t even have to worry about losing my life in a den of hungry lions!
Daniel violated the law; therefore, King Darius had him thrown into a den with snarling, mangy, lions. Visualize this for a moment. Imagine that it is you standing there in Daniel’s place staring into the faces of all those hungry lions. Picture the saliva dripping from the lions’ fangs as they lick their chops, hungry for their next meal. That meal is you! “Ahhh! Here’s dinner. You take the head and I’ll take a leg. Scruffy, over there, can take an arm.” Talk about panic…I would have panicked! I don’t want my faith tested by hungry lions.
Even though Daniel found himself in the midst of hungry lions, he was not harmed. There was not a bite, a nibble, or even a scratch on him anywhere. An angel of the Lord had protected him and shut the lions’ mouths.
Now look at the last part of Daniel 6:22. Daniel said, “…for I have been found innocent in his sight.” In Psalms 91:14, “The Lord says, ‘I will rescue those who love me. I will protect those who trust in my name’” (NLT). Daniel not only trusted God, but he also loved and obeyed God (John 14:15).
Right now, you may be asking yourself how this story applies to you, because you don’t foresee yourself being tossed into any lions’ den—at least not anytime soon. Although your faith in God may not be tested by an encounter with a physical lion; nevertheless, it will be tested. “Be careful! Watch out for attacks from the Devil, your great enemy. He prowls around like a roaring lion, looking for some victim to devour” (1 Peter 5:8, NLT).
On this journey through life, you will face many spiritual lions. You might encounter them in your family, in your school, or in your workplace. The lions might attack you verbally, physically, or even mentally. But no matter where or what type of lion you face, God can still close that lion’s mouth. There is no problem too big for God—He can protect you.
To you, your situation may look hopeless. But it is not hopeless! Just as easily as God protected Daniel in the lions’ den and rescued Peter from prison, God can protect and rescue you (Acts 12:6-11). However, when you are facing that snarling lion, you must remain strong, obedient, and faithful to God.
There might come a time when you are tempted to appease a hungry lion by agreeing or compromising with its evil. Instead of having faith that God will fight the battle on your behalf, you waiver in faith and decide to cozy up to that lion. Don’t! You are only offering the lion an appetizer, and he won’t be satisfied until he has devoured the main course—you. Resist the lion and don’t compromise with its sins (James 4:7). “Give all your worries and cares to God, for he cares about what happens to you” (1 Peter 5:7, NLT).
Today, are you facing any hungry lions that want to devour you? If you are, then give your worries over to God—trust Him to take care of those lions. God will not abandon you (2 Corinthians 4:8-10).
For he orders his angels to protect you wherever you go. You will trample down lions and poisonous snakes; you will crush fierce lions and serpents under your feet!
Psalms 91:11, 13 (NLT)
Three Key Concepts
1. Satan, as a hungry lion, wants to ambush and devour you.
2. You will encounter many spiritual lions in this world.
3. God protected Daniel in the lions’ den and He can protect you too.
